Aston Villa v Lille result: hosts secure victory to reach quarter-finals with two goals in second half

Europa League / Last 16

Villa Park / 19.03.2026

Aston Villa

Finished

Aggregate score 3-0

Lille OSC

J. McGinn(54')
L. Bailey(86')

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Highlights

22:24

VILLA PERFORM PERFECT PLAN TO SEE OFF LILLE

It was a perfect night for Aston Villa as they booked safe passage through to the Europa League quarter-finals. Professional, measured, and rarely at risk of falling behind at any point in the tie, or even across over both legs.

Unai Emery's side have suffered dismally in the Premier League as of late, but through all the ups and downs of their form, their European displays have remained calm and consistent, losing just one match in their nine outings before tonight's win.

Victory over Lille marks seven successes on the bounce in the competition, and a third successive European quarter-final for the club. Emery, as everyone knows, has a unique penchant for this tournament, having won it three times with Sevilla and then again with Villarreal, so Villa continue to be strong favourites.

Sancho reveals Martinez half-time message behind memorable goal

Video credit: TNT Sports

It was a slow start, and as John McGinn said, it was not a pretty performance overall, but it was measured. Any tension and anxiety, of which there were lots, came from the crowd at Villa Park rather than the players.

Their two second-half goals originated from several attacks in the first half, where Morgan Rogers launched splitting balls on the right flank to Jadon Sancho, who just could not pick out a player or make room for a shot.

It was clear that Villa were attempting to exploit the space in the wide flanks and repeatedly made inroads there, trying to drag Lille's defenders out of position and unleash the likes of Sancho into the freed-up space.

In the 54th minute, they did just that, when Emi Martinez launched a pinpoint kick out of his hands towards the winger and in the blink of an eye, he cut the ball across goal for McGinn to score on a rapturous return from injury at Villa Park.

From then on, the game inevitably opened up for Villa, who instantly threatened to score a second on the night through substitute Ollie Watkins. Sancho hit the post himself after another run into the box, but it was roughly five minutes from time when they added the second dagger.

Bailey seals Villa victory over Lille - 'That will do it!'

Video credit: TNT Sports

A goal similar in fashion to McGinn's, Martinez initiated it with another good goal-kick, which Villa won in Lille's half, and Emi Buendia played a lovely first-time pass through to Watkins, who passed across the box for Leon Bailey to finish easily and put the win beyond doubt.

Villa will face either Roma or Bologna in the last eight next month, with the first leg in Italy.

22:23

EMERY THE EUROPA LEAGUE MASTER

With that, Unai Emery has reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League for the eighth time.

No one else has done it more than five times as a manager.

Four wins with Sevilla and one with Villareal. Could he finally capture it with an English side this year?

Image credit: Getty Images

22:10

MCGINN 'DELIGHTED' WITH GOAL ON RETURN

"Delighted. It was a slow first half. Personally as well, trying to get back up to speed," John McGinn told TNT Sports.

"But it's a great goal. It wasn't a pretty performance, but the main thing is we're in the quarter-final.

"Whether it's Bologna or Roma, we're excited for it."

Watch as Martinez plays INCREDIBLE pass in build up to McGinn goal - 'Absolute magic'

Video credit: TNT Sports

'I'M SURE WE CAN GO VERY FAR IN THE COMPETITION' - SANCHO

Jadon Sancho spoke to TNT Sports after a 2-0 win over Lille that saw them through to the quarter-finals.

"We've got to take it game by game. It's a tough competition, Europe is very different.

"But today we stuck to the gameplan, we worked hard on and off the ball.

"If we keep this, I'm sure we can go very far in this competition."

FULL-TIME! ASTON VILLA 2-0 ROMA (3-0 agg.)

A professional display from Villa. Emery set it up perfect and the plan unfolded just as he hoped.

Lille were stunted completely, unable to get any meaningful possession or chances and simply could not deal with Villa's balls in behind from midfield, and Martinez was on fire in goal as his own distribution shone.

Goals from McGinn and Bailey see them through safely where they face either Roma or Bologna in the quarter-finals.

90+2'

LILLE UNABLE TO DEAL WITH VILLA

Villa threatened once or twice with some balls in behind, mainly from Rogers, in the first half.

But this second, Lille have had no answer for Villa's ability to penetrate their backline and their wide players have had so much space and freedom.

86'

GOAL! BAILEY! VILLA 2-0 LILLE

A goal emerging from yet another good piece of distribution from Martinez.

Villa win his goal-kick and Buendia plays a lovely first-time pass through to Watkins, who similarly to Sancho, passes across goal for Bailey to finish easily.

That's the game wrapped up for Villa. On to the quarters they go.

Goal

L. BaileyAston Villa

80'

WHO MIGHT VILLA PLAY?

Villa look set to win here and well, they will player the winner between Roma and Bologna.

A thrilling game in Rome currently sees them level at 3-3, and 4-4 on aggregate.

'Pick that one out!' - Rowe scores sublime goal for Bologna at Roma

Video credit: TNT Sports

74'

74'

MCGINN DEPARTS FOR BUENDIA

Double change for Vill as Buendia and Cash replace McGinn and Bogarde.

There's a nice applause for captain McGinn as he departs, having provided the goal that might just see them safely through to the quarter-finals.

Watch as Martinez plays INCREDIBLE pass in build up to McGinn goal - 'Absolute magic'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Substitution in

E. BuendiaAston Villa

Substitution out

J. McGinnAston Villa

72'

LUIZ YELLOW CARDED

Well that was inevitable for the Brazilian, and he finally gets a yellow after bringing down Edjouma just outside the Villa box.

Yellow card

Douglas LuizAston Villa

71'

LILLE GROWING

There's a suggestion of a penalty when Haraldsson goes down inside the box after a trip from Luiz.

The incident is cleared and outside the box, for which Luiz is lucky.

But the likes of Haraldsson and Fernandez-Pardo have definitely made an important impact on this game for Lille.

65'

SANCHO HITS POST!

AH another chance of making it 3-0 on aggregate goes awry as Sancho is through on goal although with a slightly difficult angle.

He rockets a shot at Ozer but it ricochets off the post and out of the box.

Villa are starting to pile up the chances now...

63'

WATKINS FIRES WIDE

The substitute is inches away from doubling the lead on the night but his effort fires sharply wide of the post.

As expected, this game has opened up after just one goal and Villa are really threatening to bury the tie now.

61'

LILLE GOAL DISALLOWED

Ooooof little stroke of luck for Villa as Giroud makes a fabulous finish but is caught offside.

It was a beautiful little volley past Martinez in the box, but the Frenchman was unfortunately offside upon a quick look at the replay.

21:19

'BRILLIANT DISTRIBUTION' - SUMMERTON

Adam Summerton on McGinn goal: "Brilliant distribution from Emiliano Martinez. From one end of the pitch to the other, so quickly.

Lucy Ward: "That's just joyous, joyous from Martinez. That is what counts. They haven't been able to do that lately, make the most of those runs up the pitch. But what about this for a ball? He's put under pressure, but he still manages to arrow that into Sancho.

"And while he ran the ball out of the pitch last time, this is absolutely magic. McGinn is just not going to miss. That is just pure joy from a Villa point of view."

Image credit: Getty Images

56'

WATKINS ON FOR ABRAHAM

With the nerves settled, Emery brings on Ollie Watkins for Abraham.

Substitution in

O. WatkinsAston Villa

Substitution out

T. AbrahamAston Villa

55'

THAT WILL SETTLE THE NERVES

It had been incredibly tense and anxious at Villa Park, but a brilliant piece of football from Martinez, Sancho, and McGinn gives Villa a nice two-goal cushion in this tie now.

54'

GOAL! MCGINN! VILLA 1-0 LILLE

What an excellent piece of distribution from Martinez.

The goalkeeper saves a powerful free-kick from Bentaleb and as Lille players scurry back, he fires the ball down the right flank to Sancho, and passes across the face of the goal for McGinn to score.

Incredible sweeping counter-attack.

Goal

J. McGinnAston Villa

47'

LILLE THREATEN FIRST IN SECOND HALF

It's Lille who come close to scoring first in this half as Meunier sends in a challenging cross for Giroud deep into the Villa box.

Lindelof does well to make a crucial block but Giroud was close, and it's a sign of intent for Lille.

KICK-OFF!

Back out for the second half and Villa get it under way.

Lille need to go for it at some point this half, or else Villa will end up just seeing the game out.